STATEMENT BY MAYOR BLOOMBERG ON STATE SENATE PASSAGE OF RESERVATION CIGARETTE TAX BILL

"For too long, the New York State tax on tobacco
products has applied to some but not all, with businesses on Indian reservations
openly flouting a Supreme Court ruling and existing State law. The State Senate
today joined the Assembly in shining a light on unmistakably unfair tax
practices that cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and keep tens of
thousands of people smoking when they might otherwise quit. Collecting taxes on
cigarette sales at Indian reservations could lessen the pressure on the MTA to
raise fares, and I applaud the Assembly and Senate for addressing the
issue."